Andorra, French Andorre, principality (174 sq mi/451 sq km; 1990 estimated population 54,507; 2004 estimated population 69,865), in the E Pyrenees mountains of SW Europe, 75 mi/121 km W of Mediterranean Sea, 85 mi/137 km NNW of Barcelona, Spain; (cap.) Andorra la Vella, also called Andorra; 42°30'N 01°33'E. Andorra lies between France and Spain, bounded by French departments of Aríège (N) and Pyrénées-Orientales (E) and Spanish provinces of Lerida (W and S) and Gerona (SE).
Geography
The small country is entirely within the upper drainage basin of the Valira River (Riu Valira), which is formed by the joining of its two main branches in S central Andorra and flows S into Spain; the primary crest of the Pyrenees forms Andorra’s boundary with France. Both branches of the Valira River, Valira del Nord (rises in NW Andorra) and Valira d’Orient (rises in NE Andorra), flow entirely within Andorra, both c.15 mi/24 km long, and, with the main stream, are central to Andorra’s existence. Lowest elevation is 2,756 ft/840 m at exit of Valira River into Spain on S boundary; highest elevation Coma Pedrosa peak (9,665 ft/2,946 m), on W boundary with Spain, 1 mi/1.6 km S of French border. General landscape is mountainous; 25% is wooded, which is declining from timber cutting for local use, remainder is mainly pasture and alpine meadow.
Population
The people are made up of Andorrans, of Catalan stock (29%), Spanish (53%), and French (6.5%), the remainder being mostly Portuguese and recent immigrants from other countries; 92% are Roman Catholic.
Economy
Although only 2% of the land is arable, agriculture remained the economic mainstay until the 1950s when tourism became the main source of income. Other major income sources are trade between Spain and France and banking; trade is duty-free and lack of taxation is attractive to foreign investment. Manufacturing is at Andorra la Vella and Les Escaldes. Other major towns are San Julia de Loria, Encamp, La Massána, and Ordino; there are also several villages. Manufacturing includes tobacco products, woolen goods, processed foods, furniture; there are also distilleries which produce brandy, anisette, and other beverages. Iron and some lead are mined; building stone is quarried. Rotational logging is done for construction materials and fuel. Agriculture is dominated by sheep grazing; crops include tobacco, corn, grapes used for raisins and anisette, rye, and barley. Andorra has a small road system, which crosses Pyrenees E into France through Port d'Envalira pass (7,904 ft/2,409 m); there are no railroads and no scheduled air service; there are a few cable car lines. A hydro development S of Encamp, at Lake Engolasters reservoir, provides 40% of Andorra’s electricity.
Government
Andorra has been under the joint suzerainty of the president of France and the bishop of Urgel (Spain) since 1278, when a settlement was reached between the Spanish bishop and the French count of Foix. In May 1993, Andorra became a parliamentary democracy and was admitted to UN in July 1993. Andorran parliament consists of twenty-eight councillors, four from each of Andorra’s seven districts, or parishes, elected to four-year terms. Oscar Ribas Reig was Andorra’s first elected head of state. Andorra has a small police force and small ceremonial army. Current coprinces: France, Jacques Chirac (represented by Philippe Massoni); Spain, Bishop Joan Enric Vives y Sicilia, represented by Nemesi Marques y Oste).
